KAQ 


UC-NRLF 


*B    37i    ooi 


(*/4.  ) 


THE  POWER  OF  LITERATURE 


ITS    CONNEXION    WITH    RELIGION 


AN  ORATION, 


iMLITEBEf* 


AT  BRISTOL  COLLEGE,   JULY  23,   18S4, 


XTHE    PHILOLOGIAN   SOCIETY 


BY  FRANCIS  S.|KEY. 


PUBLISHED  BY  ORDER   OF    THE    SOCIETY. 

BRISTOL  COLLEGE  PRESS. 
MDCCCXXXIV. 


FA/4<! 


ORATION 


The  invitation  of  a  literary  society  connected  with  this  institu- 
tion, has  placed  me  before  this  audience.  Such  a  call,  however 
difficult  to  fulfil,  I  found  still  more  difficult  to  decline  ;  and  as 
no  particular  object,  to  be  accomplished  by  the  address  I  am  re- 
quested to  deliver,  has  been  intimated  to  me,  I  have  considered  it 
a  part  of  my  duty  to  exercise  my  discretion  in  the  choice  of  a 
subject.  A  literary  and  religious  institution,  for  the  education  of 
youth — its  friends  and  patrons,  animated  with  the  hope  that  they 
have  commenced  a  work  destined  to  promote  the  welfare  of  their 
race — its  interesting  pupils  anxious  to  avail  themselves  of  such 
advantages  to  fit  themselves  for  the  active  scenes  of  life,  are  be- 
fore me.  I  have  been  unable  to  think  of  any  thing  I  could  pre- 
sent more  appropriate  to  such  an  occasion,  than  some  considerations 
upon  the  power  of  literature  and  its  connexion  with  religion. 

The  power  of  literature,  perhaps  above  all  others  with  which 
man  is  endowed,  is  most  potent  for  good  and  for  evil.  It  adds  to 
the  force  of  human  example,  gives  weight  and  influence  to  opin- 
ion, and  effect  to  effort.  It  is  limited  to  no  age  or  nation,  but 
goes  abroad,  a  blessing  or  a  curse,  to  every  land,  and  descends  to 
distant  generations. 

The  patrons  of  this  institution  have  looked  upon  the  world 
with  the  eye  of  Christian  faith,  with  the  sympathy  of  Christian 
hearts.  They  see  its  fields  white  for  the  harvest.  They  desire 
to  send  forth  labourers  to  this  harvest,  who  shall  reap,  for  them- 
selves and  their  fellow  men,  the  rich  fruits  of  happiness  and  glory. 
They  desire  to  send  forth,  qualified  for  all  the  pursuits  and  sta- 
tions of  life,  Christians  who  shall  have  added  to  their  "  faith,  vir- 
tue, and  to  virtue,  knowledge,"  who  shall  be  able  to  adorn  and 
defend  the  Gospel  they  profess.  Are  they  right  in  conferring 
this  dangerous  power  of  literature  upon  those  whom  they  are 
preparing  for  these  high  duties?  May  it  not  turn  them  aside 
from  their  great  work,  abate  the  zeal  and  ardour  of  their  efforts, 
bring   the    world's  most  powerful  temptations  upon  them,  and 

M219167 


seduce  them  into  the  ranks  of  the  enemy  ?     It  must  be  answered 
that  it  may  do  all  this,  and  yet  are  they  right. 

It  cannot  be  plausibly  argued  that,  unconnected  with  the  means 
of  religious  improvement,  human  learning  is  more  the  foe  of  hu- 
man happiness  than  ignorance. 

But  it  need  not,  and  ought  not  to  be  thus  unconnected.  It 
may  be  made,  and  it  ought  to  be  made  a  powerful  auxiliary  in 
that  war,  which  man  is  to  wage,  with  all  his  strength,  against  the 
powers  of  darkness.  There  is  no  occasion  to  speculate  upon  the 
consequences  of  conferring  high  intellectual  attainments  and  ne- 
glecting the  "  one  thing  needful,''  the  care  of  the  soul.  1  shall 
endeavour  to  show  the  consistency  of  religion  and  literature,  what 
are  their  effects  upon  each  other,  and  how  powerfully  they  must  bear 
together  upon  the  world.  I  by  no  means  put  them  upon  any  equali- 
ty. The  one  must  take  high  precedence,  and  hold  supreme  domin- 
ion over  every  thing  belonging  to  man.  The  other  is  but  a  talent 
committed  to  us  by  our  master,  with  the  command,  "  occupy  till 
I  come."  Man  is  made  a  new  creature,  by  the  one — informed  of 
his  destiny  and  duty,  supplied  with  his  motives,  and  animated  to 
his  work  ;  the  other  gives  him  influence  and  ability  for  the  good 
of  others,  "  that  the  man  of  God  may  be  perfect,  thoroughly  fur- 
nished to  every  good  work."  To  promote  the  Christian  education 
of  youth,  is  conferring  upon  the  world  a  blessing  above  all  price; 
to  make  the  blessing  more  efficient,  every  human  acquisition  that 
can  have  power  upon  the  world,  should  be  brought  into  associa- 
tion with  the  Christian  virtues. 

The  influence  of  literature  upon  mankind  has  been  seen  and  felt 
in  all  ages,  and  the  nature  of  man  and  his  situation  in  this  life  show 
that  it  can  never  cease  to  be  one  of  the  most  powerful  agents  in  the 
formation  of  human  character  and  in  the  regulation  of  human  con- 
duct. The  Almighty  has  placed  his  intelligent  creatures  in  inti- 
mate and  necessary  association  and  dependance  upon  each  other. 
They  thus  acquire,  as  it  was  intended  they  should,  often  insensibly, 
most  of  those  principles,  habits,  and  feelings  which  govern  them 
through  life.  The  intercourse  producing  these  great  results  is  men- 
tal. The  impressions  are  communicated  through  the  understanding 
and  the  affections.  Upon  this  great  mass  of  feeling  and  thinking 
beings  it  is  plain  that  ignorance  can  produce  little  effect,  and  that 
the  influence  of  men  upon  each  other  will  be,  in  a  great  measure, 
proportioned  to  their  mental  improvement.  No  man  perhaps  is  so 
weak  as  not  to  be  placed  in  circumstances  which  enable  him  to 
operate  upon  a  few  within  his  reach  ;  but  high  literary  attainments 


claim  and  receive  the  attention  of  all.  Men  thus  fitted  foi  human 
intercourse  have  a  ready  passport  into  every  social  community  and 
into  every  habitation  of  civilized  man.  They  propose  and  discuss 
every  subject  connected  with  the  interest  of  human  beings;  and 
they  speak  upon  these  great  subjects  to  their  fellow  men  of  their 
own  age  and  to  the  remotest  generations.  The  effects  thus  pro- 
duced it  is  impossible  to  estimate.  How  often  has  the  perusal  of 
a  single  book  awakened  the  attention  of  its  reader,  roused  his 
energies  into  new  action,  turned  his  thoughts  into  a  new  channel, 
changed  the  whole  course  and  habits  of  his  life,  and  enabled  him 
in  his  turn  to  bring  the  force  of  intellectual  power  to  bear  upon 
the  world,  and  communicate  to  hundreds  and  thousands  like  him- 
self, the  impulses  he  has  thus  received.  "  The  good"  and  the 
evil  that  men  do,  "  live  after  them."  There  are,  perhaps,  few  per- 
sons now  present,  who  have  not  received  deep  and  abiding  im- 
pressions, forming  prominent  points  in  their  character  and  daily 
influencing  their  conduct,  from  the  works  of  men  who  have  been 
for  years  and  even  centuries  in  their  graves.  And  this  great  ope- 
ration of  mind  upon  mind  will  go  on  from  generation  to  genera- 
tion. Some  of  its  great  results  we  see  in  the  wonderful  improve- 
ments around  us,  of  which  the  world  a  few  years  since  was 
ignorant  and  incredulous.  What  they  are  to  be,  is  known  only  to 
Him  who  has  given  this  power  to  his  creatures  to  be  improved  for 
his  glory.  Is  such  a  power  as  this  denied  to  the  Christian  ?  May 
he  not  avail  himself  of  such  an  aid  in  the  course  he  is  to  run  ?  Is 
it  inconsistent  with  his  character  to  wield  such  a  weapon  in  his 
warfare?  A  mistaken  opinion  upon  this  subject  certainly  once 
prevailed  in  the  world.  Some  well-meaning  Christians  may  even 
yet  doubt  the  advantages  of  a  literary  education,  and  we  have 
reason  to  fear  that  there  are  many  who,  though  they  may  not  object 
to  it,  are  yet  indifferent  to  the  reception  of  such  an  ally  to  the 
Christian  cause.  It  may  be  useful  therefore  to  examine  this 
question,  and  determine  whether  the  friends  of  religion  shall 
avail  themselves  of  one  of  the  most  powerful  means  of  influencing 
the  world,  or  leave  it  to  its  adversaries. 

If  we  consider  the  nature  and  purposes  of  religion  and  litera- 
ture, we  shall  find  nothing  in  the  claims  of  the  one  inconsistent 
with  the  acquisition  of  the  other.  On  the  contrary,  rightly  con- 
sidered, the  claims  of  the  one  are  such  as  to  demand  the  acquisi- 
tion of  the  other. 

Religion,  it  is  said,  is  the  influence  of  the  Spirit  upon  the  heart ; 
it  demands  the  heart,  the  whole  heart,  and  makes  no  call  upon  the 


understanding.  This  is  a  mistake.  It  is  the  influence  of  the 
Spirit  upon  the  man — it  demands  the  whole  man,  soul  and  body, 
heart  and  understanding.  All  are  to  be  brought  under  its  sub- 
jection. Every  faculty  and  power  of  body  and  soul,  of  heart  and 
mind,  that  it  finds  in  man,  or  that  man  has  the  means  of  acquiring, 
is  called  forth  in  its  service.  From  its  nature  and  its  purpose  it 
must  affect  the  understanding  :  an  inspired  Apostle  speaks  of  it  as 
"  enlightening  the  eyes  of  the  understanding." 

It  is  impossible  to  conceive  how  the  cultivation  of  the  reason- 
ing faculties  can  obstruct  this  influence.  We  have  a  beautiful 
parable  in  the  Gospel,  showing  all  the  obstacles  which  prevent  the 
good  seed  of  the  word  from  taking  root  in  the  heart.  A  cultivated 
understanding  is  not  found  among  them.  But  we  read  of  men, 
who  are  said  to  have  "  the  understanding  darkened,  being  alien- 
ated from  the  life  of  God  through  the  ignorance  that  is  in  them." 
There  is  nothing  then  to  prevent  the  conversion  of  enlightened 
men,  that  is  not  also,  at  least  equally  to  be  found  in  the  ignorant — 
and  if  they  are  to  be  converted  by  the  instrumentality  of  men,  it 
requires  no  argument  to  show  that  the  most  efficient  instrumen- 
tality is  generally  to  be  expected  from  the  most  enlightened. 

If  it  be  said  that  learning  presents  strong  temptations,  that  it 
fosters  pride  and  prejudice,  that  it  is  often  sought  from  selfish  and 
worldly  considerations,  we  may  readily  admit  it,  and  concede  that, 
so  sought,  it  is  clearly  inconsistent  with  the  demands  of  the  Gos- 
pel.    Its  path  is  the  way  of  temptation.     But  what  path  of  human 
duty  will  be  found  otherwise  ;  and  generally  in  proportion  to  the 
importance  and  arduousness  of  a  duty,  will  be  found  the  tempta- 
tions that  beset  it.     But  the  Christian  soldier  who  goes  onward, 
believing  that  "God   is   faithful  and  will  not  suffer  him  to  be 
tempted  above  what  he  is  able,  but  will  with  the  temptation  also 
make  a  way  of  escape"  for  him,  resists  a  temptation  to  rest  in  ease 
and  indolence,  and  neglect  his  Master's  service  ;  and  he,  who 
through  fear  of  temptation  shrinks  from  the  duty,  yields  himself 
to  the  snare  of  the  tempter.     Human  learning,  sought  as  an  end 
sought  for  the  gratification  of  pride,  or  power,  or  pleasure,  or  profit 
consists  not  with  the  claims  of  religion :    but  sought  for  God 
sought  in  a  meek  and  humble  spirit,  sought  as  a  means  of  glorify 
ing  God  and  doing  good  to  man,  is  a  sanctified  gift,  is  a  talent  of- 
fered  to  the  Christian,  which  he  must  accept  and  use  in  his  Mas 
ter's  service. 

It  is  so  with  every  gift.  What  presents  stronger  temptations 
than  riches,  the  love  of  which  is  said  to  be  "  the  root  of  all  evil  ?" 


What  sin  more  denounced  than  covetousness  ?  yet  who  doubts 
that  the  acquisition  of  riches  is  allowable,  and  even  laudable  ? 
It  is  enjoined  upon  Christians,  that  they  should  "work  with 
their  hands  that  they  may  have  to  give  to  him  that  needeth." 
Would  the  Apostle  have  forbidden  them  to  work  with  their 
heads,  from  the  same  motive;  that  being  thus  enriched  with 
the  treasures  of  knowledge,  they  might  have  to  give  to  him 
that  needeth,  gifts  exceeding  all  the  riches  of  the  earth  ?  This 
question  might  be  settled  by  an  appeal  to  facts.  While  some 
Christians  have  been  doubting  and  speculating  upon  the  subject, 
others  have  happily  been  exhibiting  themselves  as  proofs  of  the 
perfect  consistency  between  the  highest  attainments  of  learning 
and  piety.  Among  the  names  that  will  never  die,  the  men  who 
have  left  behind  them  monuments  more  enduring  than  brass  or 
marble,  there  are  certainly  to  be  found  many  who,  in  the  pride  of 
their  hearts,  or  the  profligacy  of  their  lives,  rejected  the  hum- 
bling and  self-denying  doctrines  of  the  cross.  But  many  more 
of  those  thus  distinguished  have  been  consistent  and  devoted 
Christians.  There  have  been  in  all  ages  of  the  Church,  men  of 
superior  piety,  who  have  consecrated  to  the  holy  cause  they  served 
the  very  highest  attainments  of  human  learning,  whose  increasing 
knowledge  taught  them  its  proper  lesson — increasing  humility  ; 
who  saw  from  the  heights  they  had  gained,  a  more  extended  pros- 
pect beyond  them,  not  to  be  explored  by  man ;  and  who  saw  in 
that  vast  view  of  things  not  to  be  known  here,  the  proof  of  a 
higher  state  of  existence  hereafter.  They  have  seen  too,  and 
shown  to  the  world,  that  the  more  deeply  they  have  been  enabled 
to  penetrate  into  the  wonders  that  surround  us,  the  more  evi- 
dent is  the  truth  of  the  revelation  given  to  us,  and  the  more  per- 
fectly have  they  been  enabled  to  "  vindicate  the  ways  of  God  to 
man." 

That  which  has  given  to  the  cause  of  religion  such  advocates, 
and  enabled  them  thus  to  promote  the  success  of  that  cause,  can- 
not be  in  conflict  with  its  interests,  or  discountenanced  by  its 
precepts.  Some  detached  passages  of  Scripture  are  supposed  to 
exclude  human  learning  from  the  acquirements  proper  to  the 
Christian. 

So  St.  Paul  has  been  understood  when  he  informs  the  Corinthians 
that  he  came  to  them  not  with  "  the  excellency  of  speech  or  of  wis- 
dom," that  he  spoke  to  them  "  not  in  the  enticing  words  of  man's 
wisdom,  but  in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  in  power," — that 
11  the  wisdom  of  the  world  is  foolishness  with  God," — that  "  the 


8 

world  by  wisdom  knew  not  God,  and  it  pleased  God,  by  the  fool- 
ishness of  preaching,  to  save  them  that  believe." 

The  great  Apostle  of  the  Gentiles  did  not  enter  upon  his  ministry 
in  any  strength  of  his  own.  He  looked  not  for  success  to  what  the 
world  called  wisdom,  nor  to  the  arts  of  the  rhetorician,  which  it 
called  eloquence  or  "  excellency  of  speech."  And  this  is  all  that 
he  disclaims  in  these  and  similar  passages. 

That  he  regarded  the  suggestions  of  true  wisdom,  availed  him- 
self of  his  learning,  and  took  care  so  to  speak  as  to  rouse  the  feel- 
ings, and  teach  the  understanding  of  those  who  heard  him,  we 
know,  from  what  we  see  in  his  addresses  and  from  the  effects 
which  they  produced.  In  this  Epistle  he  thanks  God  that  his  Corin- 
thian converts  were  in  "  every  thing  enriched  by  him,  in  all  ut- 
terance and  in  all  knowledge."  "  So  that  they  came  behind  in 
no  gift."  He  quoted  and  applied  a  passage  from  their  poets  to  an 
Athenian  audience ;  and  he  "  reasoned"  before  Felix  and  made 
him  tremble.  Under  the  Old  Testament  dispensation  the  great 
leader  of  the  Jews  was  allowed  to  become  "  learned  in  all  the  wis- 
dom of  the  Egyptians,"  and  ourLord  had  promised  to  his  disciples 
"  a  mouth  and  wisdom  which  all  their  adversaries  should  not  be  able 
to  gainsay  or  resist."  And  accordingly,  when  Stephen  answered 
for  himself  and  his  doctrines  before  the  high  priest,  his  address 
shows  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  history  and  opinions,  and  hearts 
and  lives  of  his  Jewish  hearers,  so  that "  they  were  cut  to  the  heart ;" 
and  when  he  disputed  with  the  leaders  of  the  synagogues,  we  are 
informed  "  they  were  notable  to  resist  the  wisdom  and  spirit  with 
which  he  spake." 

It  is  true  these  powers  were  bestowed  upon  the  first  teachers  of 
the  Gospel  by  inspiration.  Ignorant  and  unlearned  men  were 
immediately  and  miraculously  qualified  for  their  great  work.  In 
the  present  age  of  the  Church  God  has  seen  fit  to  require  that  his 
people  shall  prepare  themselves  for  his  service  by  labour  and  study. 
Still  the  qualifications  they  acquire  are  no  less  his  gifts,  and  they 
are  to  to  be  sought  and  accepted  in  whatever  way  he  may  please 
to  bestow  them,  and  to  be  used  under  the  influence  and  direction  of 
his  Spirit,  for  the  same  great  work,  the  conversion  of  the  world. 

This  is  not  required  of  all.  To  make  these  acquisitions  is  not 
within  the  reach  of  all.  But  all,  to  whom  they  are  offered,  should 
account  it  a  blessing  to  be  thus  honoured  ;  and  all  Christians, 
bound  as  they  are  by  their  profession  to  promote  the  success  of 
the  Gospel,  should  consider  it  a  duty  and  a  privilege  to  extend,  as 
far  as  possible,  the  means  of  thus  sustaining  and  defending  it. 


0 

That  portion  of  the  Christian  Church  to  which  we  belong  has 
been  permitted  to  give,  as  we  should  ever  gratefully  remember, 
many  illustrious  instances  of  the  union  of  piety  and  learning. 
One  of  those,  who  has  done  much  in  the  defence  and  confirmation 
of  the  truth,  Bishop  Horsley,  thus  expresses  himself  upon  the  sub* 
ject  we  are  considering  : 

"  In  all  ages,  if  the  objections  of  infidels  are  to  be  confuted ; 
if  the  scruples  of  believers  themselves  are  to  be  satisfied  ;  if 
Moses  and  the  Prophets  are  to  be  brought  to  bear  witness  to  Jesus 
of  Nazareth  ;  if  the  calumnies  of  the  blaspheming  Jews  are  to  be 
repelled,  and  their  misinterpretations  of  their  own  books  confuted  ; 
if  we  are  to  be  '  ready,'  that  is,  if  we  are  to  be  qualified  and  pre- 
pared, *  to  give  an  answer  to  every  man  that  asketh  us  a  reason  of 
the  hope  that  is  in  us  ;'  a  penetration  in  abstruse  questions;  a 
quickness  in  philosophical  discussion  ;  a  critical  knowledge  of 
the  ancient  languages ;  a  familiar  acquaintance  with  the  Jewish 
history,  and  with  all  parts  of  the  sacred  writings;  a  sound  judg- 
ment ;  a  faithful  memory,  and  a  prompt  elocution  ;  are  talents, 
without  which  the  work  of  an  evangelist  will  be  but  ill  performed. 
When  they  are  not  infused  by  inspiration,  they  must  be  acquired 
by  diligence  in  study  and  fervency  in  prayer." 

"  The  Apostles,"  he  further  says,  "  were  profound  metaphysi- 
cians, the  best  of  moralists,  well-informed  historians,  accurate 
logicians,  and  excellent  in  that  strain  of  eloquence  wrhich  is  cal- 
culated for  the  conveyance  of  instruction,  the  enforcement  of 
duty,  the  dissuasion  of  vice,  the  conviction  of  error  and  the  de- 
fence of  truth.  And  whoever  pretends  to  teach  without  any  of 
these  qualifications,  hath  no  countenance  from  the  example  of  the 
Apostles,  who  possessed  them  all  in  an  eminent  degree,  not  from 
education,  but  from  a  higher  source." 

If  religion  should  disclaim  this  connexion,  if  she  disarms  her- 
self of  this  power,  can  she  annihilate  it?  Will  she  be  so  unwise 
as  to  leave  it  in  the  hands  of  her  enemies?  and  has  she  any  pro- 
mise  of  miraculous  aid  to  supply  what  her  sloth  and  indifference 
will  have  lost  ? 

And  who  are  the  agents,  in  such  a  case,  by  whom  this  learned 
and  ungodly  world  is  to  be  converted  ?  If,  as  at  the  first,  the 
illiterate  are  to  be  called  to  this  work,  (and  what  others  will  the 
Church  have  to  offer?)  how,  but  by  miracle,  are  they  to  be  quali- 
fied for  it  ?  An  old  divine  observes,  that  if  it  be  said  "  God  has 
no  need  of  any  man's  parts  or  learning,"  it  may  be  well  answered, 
"  that  he  has  less  need  of  his  ignorance  and  ill-behaviour." 

■ 


10 

The  Apostles  in  the  early  age  of  the  Church,  besides  the  gifts 
of  learning  and  wisdom,  were  endowed  with  the  gift  of  languages. 
Now,  the  missionaries  who  go  forth  to  distant  lands,  as  the  mes- 
sengers of  peace,  must  apply  labour  and  diligence  to  acquire  the 
languages  of  those  they  would  teach.  Surely  it  is  as  evident  a 
Christian  duty  to  apply  this  labour  and  diligence  in  obtaining  the 
necessary  qualifications  in  one  case  as  in  the  other.  Miraculous 
interposition  to  supply  what  labour  and  diligence  can  accomplish, 
it  is  unreasonable  to  expect  in  any  case.  There  are,  however, 
extremes  of  error  upon  this  subject,  from  which  the  cause  of  reli- 
gion has  greatly  suffered; — from  which,  notwithstanding  more 
correct  views  now  generally  prevail,  it  still  suffers.  If  there  is 
no  longer  an  opposition  in  any  denomination  of  Christians  to  the 
association  of  human  learning  with  religion,  there  is  yet  in  many 
a  very  inadequate  estimate  of  its  value,  and  too  little  zeal  in  pro- 
moting it.  A  Christian  community  that  is  not  earnest  in  its  ef- 
forts and  liberal  in  its  contributions  to  support  establishments 
where  such  advantages  can  be  gained,  shows  too  plainly  that  it 
undervalues  such  advantages.  When  we  look  around  us  and  hear 
the  loud  call  for  active  and  intelligent  and  influential  members  of 
the  Church,  and  particularly  for  such  as  shall  fill  its  sacred  offices, 
and  consider  to  how  small  a  proportion  of  our  youth  the  means  of 
thus  qualifying  themselves  to  serve  the  cause  of  truth  are  limited, 
we  are  constrained  to  acknowledge,  that  we  either  do  not  see,  or 
do  not  fulfil  the  just  measure  of  our  duty.  The  great  and  indis- 
pensable qualification  for  the  ministry,  is,  undoubtedly,  that  re- 
newal  of  the  heart  which  is  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  But  if  a 
pious  ministry  can  be  made  more  efficient  by  the  aid  of  literature, 
and  that  aid  is  withheld  by  those  who  can  afford  it,  they  must  an- 
swer for  the  neglect.  The  Church  has  passed  through  many 
seasons  of  fearful  peril.  In  our  own  day  we  have  seen  the  stand- 
ard of  infidelity  openly  displayed,  and  heard  the  daring  boast  of 
its  champions  that  the  Christian  faith  should  fall  before  it.  In 
those  ranks  were  found  many  of  the  great  and  learned  of  the 
world  ;  and  all  the  arms  that  sophistry,  and  passion,  and  ingenuity, 
and  ridicule  could  supply,  were  arrayed  for  the  contest.  But  the 
Church  had  her  champions — her  great  and  learned  gathered  around 
her,  and  the  powers  of  darkness  were  put  to  confusion.  Had  she 
discouraged  learning  in  her  sons,  and  disclaimed  the  aid  of  intel- 
lectual power,  who  can  tell  what  would  have  been  the  result  of 
the  conflict  ? 

And  is  she  now  without  her  enemies  ?     Is  not  her  citadel  the 


11 

only  hope  and  refuge  of  our  race,  still  assailed,  less  openly,  but 
more  insidiously  ?  And  when  did  it  more  become  her  fol- 
lowers  "  to  put  on  the  whole  armour  of  God,"  and  stand  forth  in 
her  defence  ? 

And  in  the  day  to  which  the  Christian  looks  with  exultation — 
the  long-promised  day,  the  dawn  of  which  is  now  breaking  upon 
the  nations,  are  we  not  forewarned  that  "  perilous  times  shall 
come?"  Know  we  not  that  the  prince  of  this  world  will  call  out 
all  his  hosts,  and  struggle  with  all  the  strength  of  convulsive  des- 
peration to  sustain  his  falling  kingdom  ?  Before  the  Church  can 
put  on  her  "  beautiful  garments"  of  praise  and  triumph,  she  must 
shine  in  the  darkness  of  that  conflict  "  bright  as  the  sun  and  ter- 
rible as  an  army  with  banners."  Before  her  sons  shall  stand  forth 
as  a  resplendent  host  holding  the  palms  of  victory  in  their  hands, 
those  hands  must  wield,  in  holy  warfare,  the  well-tempered  wea- 
pons of  truth. 

The  opposite  error  consists  in  undervaluing  human  acquire- 
ments. 

There  was  a  time  when  Christianity  was  deeply  wounded  by 
the  prevalence  of  this  error.  And  perhaps  we  must  confess  that 
our  own  Church,  though  her  views  as  expressed  in  her  formula- 
ries and  doctrines  were  clear  and  Scriptural,  was  peculiarly  ex- 
posed to  its  influence.  Learning  was  made,  not  an  aid  to  religion, 
but  its  substitute,  and  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  was  too  often 
merely  a  display  of  human  erudition  embellishing  a  cold  morality. 
Men  were  allowed  to  take  their  stations  at  her  altars  who  had  no 
experience  of  the  power  of  religion  upon  their  hearts,  and  no 
other  qualifications  for  the  conversion  of  others,  than  the  "  entic- 
ing words  of  man's  wisdom,"  disclaimed  by  St.  Paul. 

We  rejoice  to  know  that  this  profanation  of  the  holy  office  is  no 
longer  tolerated — that  her  ministers  are  now  expected  to  exhibit 
themselves  as  "  ambassadors  of  God,"  having  the  "  unction  of  the 
Spirit,"  declaring  "  the  whole  counsel  of  God,"  and  speaking  in  all 
the  power  of  intellect  and  in  the  simple  earnestness  which  the 
heart  dictates,  to  the  hearts  and  consciences,  as  well  as  to  the 
understandings  of  their  hearers.  Still  the  pride  of  learning,  the 
love  of  human  applause,  and  the  subtle  acts  of  the  great  adversary 
of  man,  present  powerful  temptations,  requiring  incessant  watch- 
fulness. It  is  difficult  to  be  great,  and  successful,  and  applauded, 
and  humble.  It  is  easy  and  natural  to  place  an  undue  estimate 
upon  acquirements,  when  the  mind  feels  the  power  and  influence 
which  they  give  it. 


Ml 

It  may  be  well  to  inquire  whether  these  dangers  are  not  great- 
ly  aggravated  by  the  manner  in  which  mental  cultivation  is  usual- 
ly conducted,  and  by  the  means  and  motives  employed  in  the 
progress  of  education — whether  sincere  Christians  may  not,  in 
their  zeal  for  attaining  a  great  and  allowable  object,  be  making 
some  sacrifice  of  their  principles,  and  adopting  some  of  the  max- 
ims of  the  world  without  due  consideration. 

If  the  youth  of  a  literary  institution  see  that  their  religious  im- 
provement is  not  the  chief  end  and  aim  of  their  instructors — that 
the  effort  to  make  them  Christians  is  formal  and  heartless,  while 
to  the  lessons  of  the  world's  wisdom  they  are  continually  en- 
couraged by  setting  before  them,  not  "  the  prize  of  their  high 
calling  in  Christ  Jesus,"  but  of  academical  honours — if  motives  so 
dangerous  to  our  nature  as  pride  and  emulation  are  used  to  excite 
them  to  the  labour  and  self-denial  of  study — if  this  is  the  course 
of  discipline  to  which  ardent  and  susceptible  hearts  are  subjected, 
during  the  years  of  education,  while  the  principles  and  habits  are 
forming,  can  we  wonder  to  see  them  come  forth  with  the  character 
of  the  scholar  predominating  over  that  of  the  Christian?  They 
may  be  well  prepared  for  the  world,  for  they  have  been  formed 
after  its  models.  They  may  distinguish  themselves  in  the  strifes 
and  competitions  for  worldly  honours,  for  to  that  warfare  they  have 
been  trained.  But  to  glory  in  the  cross  of  Christ,  to  bear  the  re- 
proaches of  the  world,  and  to  despise  its  baubles,  to  be  meek  and 
lowly  in  heart, — these  are  lessons  they  have  yet  to  learn,  and  for 
which  they  have  learned  every  thing  calculated  to  unfit  them. 

When  we  know  that  so  many  of  our  public  institutions  are  con- 
ducted, at  least  in  some  respects,  upon  principles  such  as  these, 
what  can  we  say  but  that  literary  attainments  are  acquired  at  a 
hazard  and  a  price  which  religion  can  never  sanction. 

There  is  no  necessity  for  this.  Religion  is  the  only  true  and 
sure  foundation  for  every  institution  that  is  to  fit  man  for  the  du- 
ties of  life.  The  evidences  and  doctrines  of  Christianity  may  be 
impressed  upon  the  understanding,  and  its  holy  influences  brought 
to  bear  upon  the  affections  throughout  the  progress  of  education. 
Her  principles  need  be  subjected  to  no  compromise  or  sacrifice  ; 
her  motives  are  all-sufficient.  To  the  Christian  student  she  pre- 
sents a  prize  of  unceasing  animation,  and  help  and  strength  from 
above  to  "  hold  up  his  goings  in  her  paths." 

To  the  unconverted,  what  can  be  more  important  than  to  place 
them  within  the  reach  of  the  example  and  intercourse  of  the  pious 
of  their  own  age  ?  where  they  will  see  living  evidences  of  the 


13 

power  of  religion,  receive  the  same  instructions,  be  subjected  to 
the  same  discipline,  and  become  the  objects  of  Christian  care  and 
sympathy  to  their  instructors  and  fellow  students  1 

"Where  education  is  thus  conducted,  and  means  like  these  are 
used,  every  thing  is  done  that  man  can  do,  and  the  blessing  look- 
ed to  from  Him,  in  dependance  upon  whom,  and  for  whom  all  is 
done,  may  be  confidently  expected. 

The  projectors  and  conductors  of  literary  institutions  too 
generally  seem  to  entertain  other  views.  They  receive  their 
pupils.  They  expect  to  be  able,  too  often  by  the  use  of  mere 
worldly  means,  to  make  them  scholars.  To  make  them  Christians, 
they  would  say,  must  be  the  work  of  a  higher  power,  and  to  that 
power  they  are  content  to  leave  it.  Surely  they  forget  that  He, 
who  alone  can  do  this  work,  yet  works  by  means  ;  condescends  to 
employ  in  it  the  instrumentality  of  man,  and  has  promised  his 
help  and  favour  to  labours  thus  directed. 

Where  the  two  great  objects  of  religious  and  literary  instruction 
are  properly  united,  and  where  the  latter  is  made  to  stand,  as  it 
ought  to  do,  in  a  station  secondary  and  subordinate  to  the  other, 
the  temptations  which  are  so  apt  to  accompany  the  acquisition  of 
learning  are  happily  counteracted.  There  will  be  found  no  in- 
consistency in  the  motives  or  objects  which  such  a  course  of  edu- 
cation presents.  While  the  heart  is  softened,  the  taste  refined, 
and  the  reasoning  powers  exercised  in  the  various  pursuits  of 
literature  and  science,  there  13  no  cause  to  apprehend  that  the  les- 
sons of  religion  will  be  rendered  less  efficient.  Nor  can  youth  so 
situated  be  insensible  to  that  which  pleads  more  successfully  with 
man  than  all  argument  and  precept — the  beauty  and  the  bright- 
ness of  the  Christian  character  shining  around  them  in  their  com- 
panions and  instructors. 

Above  all,  when  Christians,  awakening  at  the  call  of  duty,  have 
established  such  an  institution,  and  placed  it  in  the  charge  of  men 
with  hearts  devoted  to  the  Redeemer's  cause,  willing  to  give  them- 
selves up  to  the  work  of  preparing  the  rising  generation  for  his 
service  ;  when  from  its  hallowed  walls,  and  from  the  rejoicing 
courts  of  Zion  the  prayer  of  faith  shall  ascend,  how  can  we  doubt 
that  it  will  be  answered  with  the  benediction  of  heaven  ? 

Such  an  institution  is  here.  Its  first  fruits  are  before  us.  And 
in  the  name  of  my  distant  Christian  brethren,  whose  hearts  have 
been  gladdened  by  the  reports  of  this  work  of  faith  and  love,  I 
offer  thanks  to  the  friends  of  Zion  who  have  presented  such  an 
offering  to  be  consecrated  to  her  service. 


14 

Nor  can  I  avoid  declaring  my  approbation  of  the  Christian 
courage  and  confidence  with  which  this  has  been  achieved.  It  is 
true,  prudence  requires,  in  such  undertakings,  that  some  previous 
preparation  of  means  should  be  provided.  But  I  do  not  consider 
it  necessary,  nor  consistent  with  the  religion  we  profess,  to  hold 
back  the  commencement  of  such  a  work,  till  adequate  funds  are 
in  hand  to  accomplish  all  we  may  desire.  In  such  a  case,  some 
reliance  may  well  be  placed  on  future  help,  to  be  supplied  by  its 
friends,  as  its  wants  may  demand  it.  There  need  not  be  a  hoard 
laid  up,  a  sum  invested  in  securities,  as  the  world  calls  it,  (though 
very  insecure  as  the  world  often  finds  it,)  sufficiently  large  to  pro- 
vide for  its  future  operations  without  further  assistance. 

Enough  for  a  beginning — to  erect  the  necessary  buildings  and 
and  provide  for  present  wants,  it  is  reasonable  to  procure.  When 
this  is  done,  surely  the  influence  of  Christian  feelings  and  princi- 
ples may  be  looked  to  as  a  sufficient  security  to  sustain  it.  Surely 
it  is  enough  to  pray  for  it,  as  we  are  taught  to  do  for  ourselves, 
not  for  hoarded  treasures,  but  for  daily  bread.  This  prayer  will, 
I  trust,  be  heard  and  answered,  and  a  liberal  supply  of  its 
present  wants  encourage  us  to  trust,  with  increasing  confidence, 
for  the  future. 

The  scene  now  before  us  is  interesting — such  an  assembly  met 
to  do  honour  to  the  cause  of  God  and  man,  to  give  its  counte- 
nance and  support  to  such  an  institution,  to  encourage  and  ani- 
mate the  labours  and  efforts  of  its  teachers,  pupils  and  patrons ; 
the  youth  to  whom  we  are  to  look  as  the  strength  and  glory  of 
our  land  in  future  days,  who  are  here  preparing  themselves  to 
go  forth  as  "  lights  of  the  world,"  present  a  spectacle  which,  even 
to  a  heathen,  who  would  say,  "  humani  nihil  alienum  mihi,"  would 
not  be  an  object  of  indifference. 

But  what  is  such  a  scene  to  that  which  faith,  not  fancy,  unveils 
to  the  eye  that  looks  into  futurity? — to  the  eye  that  looks  beyond 
this  small  beginning,  not  to  the  end,  but  to  the  never-ending 
progress  of  a  work  destined  to  bless  the  world  and  give  joy  in 
heaven  for  ever  ? — to  the  eye  that  has  long  mourned  over  the  deso- 
lations of  Zion,  and  is  now  permitted  to  see  how  her  solitary 
places  are  to  be  made  glad,  and  her  wildernesses  to  "  blossom  as 
the  rose  ?"  When  our  favoured  land,  throughout  all  her  borders, 
shall  exult  in  the  full  light  of  Gospel  day — when,  as  far  as  the 
adventurous  foot  of  man  shall  pierce  her  forests,  the  heralds  of 
salvation  shall  go  forth,  and  the  songs  of  Zion  shall  be  heard, 
till 


15 

"  The  dwellers  in  the  vale*  and  on  the  rocki 
Shout  to  each  other,  and  the  mountain  tops 
From  distant  mountains  catch  the  flying  joy," — 

And  when  this  light  shall  be  boine  from  our  bright  and  happy 
shores  to  "  the  dark  places  of  the  earth," — then,  among  the  Chris- 
tian host  that  shall  have  achieved  these  triumphs,  may  there  be 
found  the  names  of  many  who  were  reared  in  this  nursery  of  the 
Church,  equipped  in  this  armoury  of  God. 

And  now,  my  young  friends,  I  cannot  refrain  from  availing  my- 
self of  the  liberty  you  have  given  me,  by  saying  a  few  words  in 
conclusion  to  you.  You  have  called  on  one  to  address  you, 
to  whom  often,  in  his  retrospections  of  the  past,  it  has  occurred 
to  imagine  what  would  be  his  course,  if  he  could  take  his  place 
among  you  and  be  again  permitted  to  begin  the  journey  of  life. 

He  cannot  call  back  the  past — go  over  again,  with  corrected 
views  and  subdued  feelings  and  never-failing  help,  the  days  he  has 
wasted,  nor  regain  opportunities  of  improvement  that  are  lost  for 
ever.  But  he  can  entreat  you,  as  his  Christian  brethren,  to  do 
as  he  vainly  wishes  he  had  done — that  you  may  never  have  the 
shame  of  looking  back  upon  neglected  time  and  abused  mercies. 

Much  of  the  sin  and  misery  of  the  world  would  be  avoided,  if 
the  young  could  be  persuaded  to  believe  the  testimony  of  those 
who  have  gone  before  them,  and  learn  wisdom  from  the  experience 
of  others.  This  is  the  great  difficulty  to  overcome  in  the  work  of 
education.  That  there  should  be  such  a  difficulty;  that  intelligent 
beings  about  to  enter  upon  the  untried  path  of  life  should  refuse 
the  guidance  of  those  who  have  travelled  it  before  them,  when 
there  is  no  doubt  as  to  the  superiority  of  their  knowledge,  and  no 
ground  to  question  the  sincerity  of  their  counsels,  is  one  among 
many  proofs  of  the  darkness  of  the  natural  understanding,  and  of 
the  power  of  the  delusions  to  which  we  are  exposed.  The  world 
cannot  account  for  it,  and  has  no  cure  for  it.  Religion  alone  ex- 
plains it  and  applies  the  remedy. 

Some  of  you  have  received  this  explanation,  sought  and  found 
this  remedy.  Others  are,  perhaps,  unconscious  that  there  is  any 
thing  in  their  nature  requiring  either  explanation  or  remedy — or 
if  conscience  has  sometimes  spoken  too  plainly  to  be  misunder- 
stood, you  have  considered  it  unnecessary  to  enter  upon  such  an 
inquiry  so  soon.  You  are  brought  here  together  for  the  common 
purpose  of  qualifying  yourselves  for  the  duties  and  trials  of  a  life 
of  which  you  can  know  but  little.     Those  who  have  felt  a  deep 


16 

interest  in  your  welfare,  have  thought  it  best  that  you  should  be 
thus  associated,  and  they  have  adopted  a  system  of  instruction 
calculated  (as  they  believe)  for  your  common  benefit. 

Their  first  object  is  to  send  you  forth  as  Christians,  and  secondly 
as  Christians  accomplished  and  strengthened  with  all  those  ac- 
quirements of  learning  that  may  make  you  "perfect  in  every  good 
word  and  work,"  and  "  ready  always  to  give  to  every  man  that 
asketh  you,  a  reason  of  the  hope  that  is  in  you."  If  they  shall  be 
permitted  to  succeed  in  their  chief  purpose,  much  will  be  gained 
in  favour  of  the  second.  Christian  principles  and  habits  will 
infuse  the  diligence  and  self-denial  necessary  for  the  student;  the 
help  of  Omnipotence  to  which  he  may  look  in  all  his  difficulties, 
will  be  "  always  sufficient"  for  him  ;  gratitude  for  unspeakable 
mercies  will  make  his  labours  easy  and  delightful ;  and  the  Christian 
prize  ever  in  his  view,  will  animate  him  to  perseverance. 

The  world  can  present  nothing  to  the  mind  of  man  comparable 
to  these  means  and  inducements.  Let  their  superiority  be  mani- 
fested by  your  exhibition  of  their  fruits.  And  when  pride  and 
emulation,  and  the  unhallowed  passions  of  the  world,  are  urging 
its  votaries  to  the  strife  for  literary  distinctions,  let  it  be  seen  that 
while  you  disclaim  such  motives,  and  are  indifferent  to  such  ho- 
nours, you  are  animated  to  superior  efforts,  under  a  holier  influ- 
ence, and  for  a  brighter  prize  ;  that  "  they  do  it,  to  obtain  a  cor- 
ruptible crown,  but  you  an  incorruptible."  I  have  endeavoured 
to  set  before  you  the  advantages  of  literature,  its  importance  as  a 
part  of  the  Christian's  armour,  and  its  dangers  when  unassociated 
with  religious  principles.  Look  at  the  men  who  have  been  emi- 
nent for  piety,  and  have  employed  their  cultivated  talents  in  the 
•cause  of  religion,  and  compare  them  with  those  who  have  prosti- 
tuted to  unworthy  purposes  these  valuable  gifts,  and  say  which 
you  would  most  desire  to  resemble.  The  men  who  have  devoted 
their  lives  to  promote  the  happiness  of  others,  whose  labours  have 
been  directed  to  the  defence  of  the  truth,  and  the  extension  of 
religion,  we  should  expect  to  find  influenced  by  the  principles  they 
endeavour  to  impress  upon  others,  and  enjoying  that  happiness 
those  principles  are  so  well  calculated  to  confer.  And  such  will 
be  found  to  be  the  case.  Although  their  outward  circumstances, 
like  those  of  other  men,  were  subject  to  all  the  vicissitudes  of  this 
mortal  state,  and  they  have  had  to  bear  their  full  share  of  the 
troubles  of  life,  yet  have  they  very  generally  been  enabled  to 
u  go  on  their  way  rejoicing,"  strong  in  the  "  faith  that  overcometh 
the  world,"  and  taughtthem,  "  in  whatsoever  state  they  were,  there- 


17 

with  to  be  content. "  Such  men,  besides  having  a  richer  relish  of 
all  the  blessings  of  life,  have  enjoyed  in  the  highest  degree  the 
greatest  of  all  luxuries,  that  of  doing  good  ;  and  their  peaceful 
lives  and  triumphant  deaths,  have  borne  testimony  to  the  truths 
they  felt  and  taught. 

They  rest  from  their  labours,  and  God  is  thanked  for  having 
given  them  as  blessings  to  the  world.  Not  so  with  the  perverters 
of  learning — "  There  is  no  peace  to  the  wicked."  And  to  the 
wicked  abusers  of  high  mental  endowments,  and  eminent  acquire- 
ments there  are  peculiar  causes  of  disquietude  and  misery.  Their 
sensibilities  are  more  acute,  and  the  stings  of  conscience  more 
severe.  They  have  no  fixed  principles  to  guide  them  through 
life,  no  sources  of  consolation  in  trouble,  no  restraint  upon  the 
passions,  no  shield  against  temptations.  They  enjoy  the  admira- 
tion of  the  world,  but  are  strangers  to  the  peace  and  joy  that  the 
world  knoweth  not;  living  "  without  hope  and  without  God  in  the 
world,"  they  find  life  a  burden,  and  dare  not  look  to  death  for  a 
refuge. 

Such  is  the  power  of  literature,  and  such  the  contrast  exhibited 
in  the  lives  of  those  who  have  used  or  abused  it  for  the  happiness 
or  misery  of  themselves  and  their  fellow  creatures.  Such  is  the 
earthly  record  of  their  history.  We  need  not  pierce  the  veil  of 
futurity  to  learn  their  different  destinies  in  that  great  day  of  retri- 
bution which  was  the  hope  of  the  one,  and  the  dread  of  the  other. 
The  lesson  taught  us  by  the  comparison  of  their  lives  on  earth 
will  be  sufficiently  awakening. 

Let  it  then  be  your  care  to  guard  this  great  power  which  your 
present  situation  enables  you  to  acquire,  by  seeking  it  and  em- 
ploying it  under  the  influence  and  direction  of  the  religion  you 
profess. 

You,  particularly,  who  aspire  to  the  honour  of  being  "put  in 
trust  with  the  Gospel" — the  highest  honour  that  can  be  conferred 
on  man — who  feel  in  your  hearts  that  He  who  has  been  pleased  to 
"  call  you  out  of  darkness  into  his  marvellous  light,"  hath  also 
called  you  by  his  Spirit  to  stand  forth  as  his  "  ministers  of  recon- 
ciliation" to  a  fallen  race :  you  should  consider  it,  not  merely 
as  permitted  to  you  to  reach  forward  to  the  full  attainment  of 
all  the  power  that  mental  improvement  can  give  you,  but  as  an  ob- 
ligation imposed  upon  you  to  fit  you  for  the  service  of  Him  who 
has  thus  called  you.  Seek  it  as  subservient  to  religion — as  a  ta- 
lent to  be  employed  in  your  great  work  and  in  your  master's  ser- 
vice, and  you  may  seek  it  with  all  the  ardour  its  attainments  de- 


18 

mands.     Fear  not  to  dive  deep  into  the  mysterious  nature  of  the 
things  within  you  and  around  you. 

"  Who  most  examine,  most  believe." 

Labour  to  carry  to  its  utmost  improvement  every  faculty  that 
God  hath  given  you,  every  thing  that  may  aid  you  in  the  percep- 
tion of  truth  and  in  the  communication  of  it  to  others.  Labour 
for  whatever  may  give  you  power — procure  over  the  hard  heart, 
and  the  closed  ear,  power,  so  to  speak,  that  the  sinner  shall  hear, 
the  sleeper  shall  wake,  the  dead  shall  live. 

That  you  may  avail  yourselves  of  the  advantages  thus  afforded 
you,  fulfil  your  various  duties  as  students  here,  and  be  prepared 
for  your  duties  hereafter,  you  are  provided  with  instructors,  to 
whose  authority  and  friendly  care  and  counsel  you  may  look  with 
confidence  and  affection. 

One  most  important  obligation  imposed  by  your  peculiar  situa- 
tion here,  relates  to  your  fellow  students.  They  will  here  be  in- 
structed in  the  evidences  and  doctrines  of  Christianity.  From 
this  course  of  study,  and  from  the  Bible,  they  may  learn  much  of 
religion.  But  much  of  the  effect  of  their  studies  and  of  what 
they  may  think  and  feel  upon  the  subject,  will  depend  upon  you. 
In  the  daily  intercourse  of  a  college  life,  they  will  not  fail  to  see  and 
note  what  religion  has  done  for  you.  Those  who  have  withstood 
all  other  means  of  grace,  have  often  yielded  to  the  power  of  reli- 
gion manifested  in  their  associates.  Put  on,  then,  for  your  own 
sakes  and  for  their's,  all  the  "  beauty  of  holiness.''  Watch  against 
every  thought  and  emotion  that  may  tarnish  the  brightness  of  that 
Christian  character  which  you  should  continually  present  before 
them.  Let  them  see  that  the  principles  you  profess,  live  and 
grow  in  you — that  you  have  a  peace  which  passeth  their  under- 
standing— that  you  have  found  a  hidden  treasure,  filling  your 
hearts  with  joy,  in  which  you  desire  them  and  all  mankind  to  par- 
ticipate. Let  them  experience  in  their  intercourse  with  you  the 
unvarying  and  patient  tenderness  of  the  charity  so  beautifully  de- 
scribed by  the  Apostles,  that  "  suffereth  long  and  is  kind,"  "  that 
beareth  all  things,  believeth  all  things,  hopeth  all  things,  endureth 
all  things,"  and  "  never  faileth."  Let  them  see  this,  and  they 
will  be  unable  to  doubt  either  the  truth,  or  the  power,  or  the  ines- 
timable value  of  religion.  This  teaching,  above  all  others,  reaches 
the  heart.  The  Christian  friends  who  surround  you  here  this 
day,  rejoice  in  the  anticipation  that  you  will  thus  acquit  yourselves 
here,  and  that  you  will  go  forth  from  these  walls,  thus  qualified 
for  your  high  office,  the  gifted  sons  of  this  institution,  the  hope  of 


19 

the  Church,  a  blessing  to  your  country  and  "  to  the  ends  of  the 
earth."  Thus  looking  upon  you  with  affectionate  solicitude  they 
pray,  in  the  language  of  the  Apostle,  "that  your  love  may  abound  yet 
more  and  more  in  knowledge  and  in  all  judgment — that  you  may 
approve  things  that  are  excellent — that  you  may  be  sincere  and 
without  offence  till  the  day  of  Christ."  Then  shall  they  rejoice 
in  that  day,  that  in  rearing  this  fortress  of  the  Christian  faith, 
they  "have  not  run  in  vain,  neither  laboured  in  vain." 


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